By Jamie Salter
The Victorian Government is reaffirming its focus on tackling road trauma after the number of lives lost on Victorian roads increased from last year.
Over the past year, 236 people died on the Victorian roads, compared with 211 in 2020 meaning many Victorians will be spending their first summer holiday without a family member, friend or colleague.
The year-on-year increase was primarily impacted by an increase in the number of lives lost on metropolitan roads, where there were 117 deaths compared with 84 in 2020.
There was also an increase in single vehicle fatal crashes, which accounted for 46 lives lost, compared with 33 last year.
Tragically, 36 people died while not wearing a seat belt, well up on the five-year average of 23, while 96 fatalities were in vehicles more than 10 years old that often lack modern safety features.
There were 20 pedestrians in metropolitan Melbourne and nine in regional Victoria who lost their lives, while 10 cyclist fatalities were down on the 14 recorded in 2020.
Motorcyclist deaths increased to 41 from 32 in 2020 and were equal with the five-year average, with 26 of these occurring on metropolitan roads.
Despite the state-wide increase, regional Victoria recorded its second-lowest number of lives lost on record with 119 deaths compared with 126 in 2020. Crashes on high-speed roads continued to be a challenge in regional Victoria where people are often fatigued driving longer distances.
Transport Accident Commission chief executive officer Joe Calafiore reminded people to drive safely in 2022.
“Whether you’re driving, riding or crossing the road, please make the right choices – pay extra attention, share the road safely, click in your seat belt, stick to the speed limit and don’t drive drunk or on drugs,“ Mr Calafiore said.
“Victoria’s road safety agencies are working together to protect Victorian road users and will continue rolling out the measures required to achieve this, but we can’t do it alone – everyone has a role to play in keeping our roads safe.”
Victorian Road Safety Minister Ben Carroll agreed there was more to be done to end road trauma.
“Far too many families feel the pain of losing a loved one or having their lives changed forever due to serious injury, which is why we’re continuing to make significant investment in education, technology, infrastructure and vehicle safety to end road trauma,“ Mr Carroll said.
“We have looked out for each other over the last two years and now as Victorians enjoy travelling and the holidays in the new year let’s carry that attitude with us and help each other stay safe by being calm and taking it easy on the roads.”
The government will continue to work with the Road Safety Partnership, industry partners, and the community.
The Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 and Action Plan works across policy, education, technology, enforcement, vehicle safety and infrastructure to improve safety for vulnerable road users.
The strategy sets targets to halve road deaths and significantly reduce serious injuries by 2030 and sets the state on a path to zero road deaths by 2050.
